About Northern Insight

Available monthly, Northern Insight is a leading business and leisure publication for the North East of England.

Our editorial content is expansive and varied in scope and aims to provide readers with a complete overview of the people and companies shaping North East business. Each month, we feature an engaging blend of subjects including business, property, media, technology, education, motors, arts and leisure with the information presented of interest to any aspiring professional working and living within the region.

In addition to publicising the latest in business news stories, achievements and developments we also feature expert comment and advice from a host of regular columnists all specialists in their respective sectors.

We also incorporate apposite feature articles, interviews with principal business figures, social photographs and reviews with a local leisure bias – all of which showcasing the pulsating, ever-changing nature of North East life. This content aims to be informative, entertaining and insightful and is presented in a captivating and professional manner.

The magazine reaches the heart of the North East business community and offers local firms a platform from which to project their credentials, develop brand awareness and generate business growth.

Northern Insight History

Northern Insight magazine was founded by Michael Grahamslaw in 2015. As one of the region’s pre-eminent magazine proprietors, Michael has been a permanent fixture in the North East’s media landscape for over 25 years. During that time, Michael has acquired the respect of the region’s business community and has built and sustained a number of harmonious client relationships in the process.

His latest venture Northern Insight combines engaging and perceptive writing with striking, contemporary design methods. Michael is backed by a dynamic team of operators each with a similar wealth of experience in their respective roles. Today, Northern Insight is a staple read for those looking to keep their finger on the pulse in a vibrant region and continues to be a popular marketing tool for businesses. Since its inception, the magazine has attracted a loyal monthly readership and has firmly established itself in the marketplace.

As the Commercial Branch of the Newcastle Falcons we have always found Northern Insight to be a great source of content, and an insightful look into a business community which is constantly changing and evolving. Mike is always a pleasure to deal with for us and his experience in helping to increase the profile of the club has been invaluable. His features really highlight what a great place the North East is to live and work and we’d recommend anyone looking to promote their brand and keep their business up to date within the business community should get involved.

Sharon Howey|Head of Commercial Sales|Newcastle Falcons

Meet the team

Michael Grahamslaw - Managing Director

Being part of the framework of the North Easts media landscape for nearly 30 years Michael has a raft of experience in promoting engaging, informative and entertaining content across a range of different areas. Michael retains a lifelong love of magazines and brings flair and professionalism to his work. Backed by a skilled design/editorial team and with a vast network of business contacts, Michael is a dynamic, conscientious operator committed to producing an interesting, innovative and enjoyable monthly title for the region.

Lu O'Rourke - Designer

Lu studied a B.A. Hons in Graphic Design at Middlesex before transferring to Newcastle Poly in 1991 to finish her degree. On graduating she went straight into the industry and worked her way up through various advertising and marketing agencies in the North East from old school artworker (the great days of cow gum, scalpels & drawing boards) to Senior Designer. She has been self employed (trading as Squid Design) for most of the past sixteen years. Lu has worked on everything from beer mats to brochures, egg boxes to exhibition stands, flyers to fashion houses, acquiring a vast amount of knowledge along the way.
She has been trained by some of the smartest, has worked alongside a few of the greatest and she can banter with the best of them!

Simon Williams - Lead Photographer

As the owner of Crest Photography, one of the leading PR and commercial photographers in the North East, it’s great to see Northern Insight in hotels, business premises and many other outlets from Teesside to Northumberland as I go from shoot to shoot.
It’s great to be part of Mike’s team, as he is a well respected publisher in his industry.
As a freelance contributor I find it particularly good to be involved with the Northern Insight team.
I’ve seen the magazine go from strength to strength, through my own client base and long may this continue.

Graham Courtney - Features Writer

Graham has been a print and broadcast journalist for over 30 years. As well as being a feature writer for Northern Insight, he is also NE Football Correspondent for talkSPORT radio. Graham has vast experience as a motoring writer and contributes to numerous newspapers and magazines across the UK. He began his career as a sports reporter with Metro Radio before joining Newcastle Utd FC as their Press Officer. After leaving NUFC he was CEO of the Independent Football Commission before returning to the media with talkSPORT.

Jack Grahamslaw - Editorial Contributor

Having studied English at The University of Liverpool, Jack joined the Northern Insight team back in 2015. Jack brings his own brand of youthful flair to the magazine and supports with a number of editorial tasks. In addition to writing a variety of news articles and features, Jack has shaped the magazine's editorial direction by devising engaging platforms and content. A skilled editor, Jack assists with arranging client proofs. He also manages the magazine's various social media channels.